JEFFERSON NICKEL

MODERN • WESTWARD JOURNEY • ERRORS

1971 NO-S PROOF • MATTE FINISH • 2004–2005 DESIGNS • 2009 LOW MINTAGE • ERRORS

SORTING LEGEND

P1Pull Immediately / Authenticate

P2Check Carefully / Better Variety

P3Common Date / Condition Pull

FSFull Steps

DDODoubled Die Obverse

DDRDoubled Die Reverse

RPMRepunched Mintmark

OMMOver Mintmark

ESSENTIAL TOOLS

Microscope
or 10x loupe

0.01g
Scale

Good
Lighting

Reference
Guide

1 MODERN P1 / P2 PULLS

Issue	Priority	Where Found	Notes
1971 No-S Proof	P1	Proof sets	Proof nickel missing intended S mintmark
1994-P Matte Finish	P1	Special Mint Set	Matte finish Jefferson nickel
1997-P Matte Finish	P1	Botanic Garden set	Matte finish Jefferson nickel
2005-D Speared Bison	P2	Circulation	Die gouge through bison
2009-P/D	P2	Circulation	Low mintage recession-year issues; pull nice examples
2020-W Proof	P2	Proof sets	Special West Point proof nickel

MODERN RULE

Most modern circulation nickels are common unless high-grade, error, or a known variety. Proof-only and special-finish coins are usually found in sets, not bank rolls.

2 WESTWARD JOURNEY SERIES

Year	Reverse	Priority	Check
2004	Peace Medal	P3	High grade / errors
2004	Keelboat	P3	High grade / errors
2005	American Bison	P2	Speared Bison die gouge
2005	Ocean in View	P3	High grade / errors
2006–Present	Return to Monticello	P3	High grade, errors, proofs

2004 Keelboat

Use as internet-hosted placeholder; replace with local asset later.

2005 Bison

Check for dramatic die gouges including Speared Bison.

3 ERROR COIN PULLS

Error Type	Priority	What To Look For
Wrong Planchet	P1	Wrong size, color, metal, or weight
Major Off-Center	P1	Visible date plus strong off-center strike
Double Denomination	P1	Nickel struck on already-struck coin
Broadstrike	P2	No collar, expanded rim
Clipped Planchet	P2	Curved or straight missing area
Major Die Break / Cud	P2	Large raised break at rim or design

Weigh suspect errors: normal Jefferson nickels weigh 5.00g. Wrong-planchet suspects need accurate weight and measurements.

4 MODERN IMAGE GALLERY

1971 No-S Proof

Obv

Rev

Proof issue; no S mintmark where one should appear.

1994-P Matte

Obv

Rev

Special matte finish; not normal circulation finish.

1997-P Matte

Obv

Rev

Special matte finish from Botanic Garden set.

2005 Speared Bison

Obv

Rev

Die gouge appears like a spear through the bison.

2009-P/D

Obv

Rev

Pull high-grade examples.

Major Errors

Obv

Rev

Keep clear photos and weights.

5 MODERN SORTING CHECKLIST

CHECK ALL PROOF SETS
1971 NO-S

CHECK SPECIAL SETS
1994-P / 1997-P MATTE

CHECK ALL 2005 BISON
SPEARED BISON

PULL CLEAN 2009s
HIGH GRADE

PULL HIGH GRADE MODERN EXAMPLES

• No spots or corrosion

• Strong Monticello steps

• Clean Jefferson portrait

• Sharp reverse design

• Dramatic errors only

FULL STEPS / GEM CANDIDATE

Modern nickels are condition-sensitive. Ordinary circulated coins are usually pass coins unless they show a known variety or major error.

MODERN NOTES

1971 No-S

Proof-only rarity missing the intended S mintmark.

1994 Matte

Special matte-finish P nickel.

1997 Matte

Special matte-finish P nickel.

2004

Peace Medal and Keelboat reverses.

2005

Bison and Ocean in View reverses.

2009

Low mintage year relative to surrounding years.

FS

Still important on modern Mint State pieces.

ERRORS

Weigh and photograph major suspects.